Grassroots Housing
In a time when so many citizens feel alienated and powerless, the example of Golden Gate Village residents is a tribute to grassroots empowerment.
The presentation of the Golden Gate Village Resident Council to the Marin Housing Authority Commission on Jan 25 (“Plan B,” Pacific Sun, Jan. 31) was a solid proposal for renovation and preservation of the Marin City public housing project, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, a treasure that Marin County should work hard to conserve.
The ball is now in the County’s court. The Marin Housing Authority Commission should designate the Resident Council plan as the preferred alternative in its submittal to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and then join heads, hearts and hands with the residents to make it a reality. A truly collaborative working group must be established that works with residents with respect and admiration for what they have already accomplished. A timeline for work, especially immediate repairs, should be established that reflects the urgency of the situation.
Thank you, Golden Gate Village residents, for your example of citizen engagement and perseverance.
Mary Morgan
Point Reyes Station
Hope for Housing
Thank you for featuring the uplifting presentation at the Marin Housing Authority (“Plan B,” Pacific Sun, Jan. 31). I hope the Pacific Sun will be able to report a positive response from the Marin Housing Authority Commissioners—our five Board of Supervisors and two Tenant Commissioners—regarding unanswered questions.
Specifically, have the Commissioners officially adopted the Resident Council plan presented on Jan. 25 as the preferred plan, and have they formed the proposed working group to include the Golden Gate Village Resident Council? The working group members would work together and set a timeline to address both immediate maintenance issues and the overall plan. The Golden Gate Village Resident Council website—ggvrc.org—is well worth a visit. You can find the Resident Council’s proposed plan there.
Kris Brown
Inverness
